Roadmarker device

Abstract

A shell 50 for a roadmarker device 10 has a body member 12 of a glass material. The body member 12 defines a chamber 14 in which a reflective element 28 is receivable. The body member 12 has a circular cylindrical base portion 16 and a raised portion 18 on top of the base portion 16. The raised portion 18, when viewed from one side of the base portion 16 is parabola-like and extends between opposed peripheries 16.1, 16.2 of the base portion 16. The raised portion 18 defines two substantially planar surfaces 20 extending in opposite directions, downwardly from a central ridge 22.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A shell for a roadmarker device, the shell including a body member which is of a substantially transparent material, the body member defining a chamber therein in which a reflective element is receivable, the body member comprising a substantially cylindrical base portion and a raised portion arranged on said base portion, the raised portion, when viewed from a side of the body member, being substantially parabola-like and extending from a first part of the periphery of said base portion to an opposed part of the periphery and the raised portion defining two substantially planar surfaces extending in opposite directions, downwardly from a central ridge. 
     
     
       2. The shell as claimed in claim 1, in which the ridge extends between the sides of the body member. 
     
     
       3. The shell as claimed in claim 1, in which the substantially cylindrical base portion tapers slightly inwardly from an operatively bottom end thereof towards the raised portion. 
     
     
       4. The shell as claimed in claim 1, in which the body member is of an ultraviolet-resistant material which has a mechanical integrity which is able to withstand the passage of a motor vehicle over it and also to withstand damage due to petro-chemicals. 
     
     
       5. The shell as claimed in claim 4, in which the body member is of a glass material. 
     
     
       6. A roadmaker device which includes a body member as claimed in claim 1, and   a reflective element arranged within the chamber to be visible through the body member when viewed externally of the body member.   
     
     
       7. The device as claimed in claim 6, in which at least a part of the reflective element is arranged in a part of the chamber extending into the raised portion of the body member. 
     
     
       8. The device as claimed in claim 6, which includes an insert on which the reflective element is carried, the insert being receivable within the chamber of the body member. 
     
     
       9. The device as claimed in claim 8, in which the insert is of a plastics material defining opposed raised faces, each raised face carrying a strip of a reflective material thereon. 
     
     
       10. The device as claimed in claim 8, in which the insert is of a plastics material and is shaped to line at least that part of the chamber in the substantially cylindrical base portion of the body member. 
     
     
       11. The device as claimed in claim 10, in which a closure means is receivable within the insert for closing off an interior of the insert.